PHILADELPHIA — The conservancy fighting to save America's Flagship — the SS United States — is in a "race against time to save the historic vessel" and is offering one of its propellers for sale, the group announced this week.

If a buyer is not found by June 3, the conservancy will be forced to sell the four-blade propeller to a recycler.

"In so many ways, we've never been closer to realizing our vision of saving America's Flagship," said Susan Gibbs, executive director of the conservancy

The propeller is being offered to the highest offer above the scrap value of approximately $100,000.

Made from a composite of nickel, aluminum and bronze, all of the ship's massive propellers were removed from the vessel's shafts more than 10 years ago. At 18 feet in diameter and weighing more than 60,000 pounds, the propeller's unique design helped make the United States an engineering marvel.